SparkFun Pro nRF52840 Mini not connecting over USB

Wireless & IoT Bluetooth
1

I purchased a SparkFun Pro nRF52840 Mini from a local reseller. It was failing to connect over USB intermittently, now it won’t connect at all. I’ve tested with multiple cables and 2 ports, all of which work fine with other devices. I’m pretty sure its borked.

Here is a sample of the error messages I’m getting. i.e. read errors, errors negotiating communication parameters, etc.

[Sun Mar 8 19:27:51 2020] hid-sensor-hub 0003:8086:0B3A.0002: No report with id 0xffffffff found

[Sun Mar 8 19:28:11 2020] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 66 using xhci_hcd

[Sun Mar 8 19:28:27 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/64, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:28:31 2020] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 67 using xhci_hcd

[Sun Mar 8 19:28:46 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/64, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:02 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/64, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:02 2020] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 68 using xhci_hcd

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:18 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/64, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:33 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/64, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:33 2020] usb usb1-port8: attempt power cycle

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:34 2020] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 69 using xhci_hcd

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:39 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/8, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:45 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/8, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:45 2020] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 70 using xhci_hcd

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:50 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/8, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:55 2020] usb 1-8: device descriptor read/8, error -110

[Sun Mar 8 19:29:55 2020] usb usb1-port8: unable to enumerate USB device

[Sun Mar 8 19:30:50 2020] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 71 using xhci_hcd

[Sun Mar 8 19:30:50 2020] usb 1-8: New USB device found, idVendor=239a, idProduct=8029

[Sun Mar 8 19:30:50 2020] usb 1-8: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3

[Sun Mar 8 19:30:50 2020] usb 1-8: Product: Feather nRF52840 Express

[Sun Mar 8 19:30:50 2020] usb 1-8: Manufacturer: Adafruit

[Sun Mar 8 19:30:50 2020] usb 1-8: SerialNumber: E8B56504300C203B

[Sun Mar 8 19:30:50 2020] cdc_acm 1-8:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:05 2020] cdc_acm 1-8:1.0: failed to set dtr/rts

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:15 2020] usb 1-8: USB disconnect, device number 71

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:15 2020] cdc_acm 1-8:1.0: failed to set dtr/rts

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:15 2020] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: WARN Cannot submit Set TR Deq Ptr

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:15 2020] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: A Set TR Deq Ptr command is pending.

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:15 2020] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: WARN Set TR Deq Ptr cmd failed due to incorrect slot or ep state.

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:16 2020] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 72 using xhci_hcd

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:16 2020] usb 1-8: New USB device found, idVendor=239a, idProduct=8029

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:16 2020] usb 1-8: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:16 2020] usb 1-8: Product: Feather nRF52840 Express

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:16 2020] usb 1-8: Manufacturer: Adafruit

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:16 2020] usb 1-8: SerialNumber: E8B56504300C203B

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:16 2020] cdc_acm 1-8:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:17 2020] usb 1-8: USB disconnect, device number 72

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:17 2020] cdc_acm 1-8:1.0: failed to set dtr/rts

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:18 2020] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 73 using xhci_hcd

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:19 2020] usb 1-8: New USB device found, idVendor=239a, idProduct=8029

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:19 2020] usb 1-8: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:19 2020] usb 1-8: Product: Feather nRF52840 Express

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:19 2020] usb 1-8: Manufacturer: Adafruit

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:19 2020] usb 1-8: SerialNumber: E8B56504300C203B

[Sun Mar 8 19:31:19 2020] cdc_acm 1-8:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device

Thanks,

Evan.

2

Hi Evan.

Something definitely isn’t working correctly but I don’t know if it’s the USB connector on the board or a problem with the nRF52840 module.

Your local distributor should be able to help you with a replacement.

3

Hello Evan,

If you believe that the board is defective, then I would recommend speaking to the reseller you purchased from for a replacement or refund.

However, I would suggest looking over our [Bootloader section first. At your own risk, you could try a factory reset (as described in the bootloader section) or you can try reprogramming the bootloader (which is riskier).

Aside from that, there isn’t much support we can offer for this issue.](https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/sparkfun-pro-nrf52840-mini-hookup-guide#using-the-bootloader)

4

Tried the factory reset to no avail. I never touched the bootloader and I’m not keen to try it know. I’ll send it back.

5

The reseller swapped it for me the new one works fine.